Jenna LaineDec 26, 2025, 01:36 PM ET
CloseJenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team since 2009. Jenna is a former cheerleader at the University of South Florida and speaks to the consistency of the program as being one of the top best in the nation.
TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs has been ruled out for Sunday’s game at the Miami Dolphins because of a toe injury, coach Todd Bowles said Friday.
Wirfs was able to finish last week’s game at the Carolina Panthers but was unable to practice this week.
“[Benjamin Chukwuma] will play left tackle this time,” Bowles said. “We liked what we saw last time, so a chance to play and get better.”
Chukwuma played one snap against the Panthers — as an extra offensive lineman at the goal line — but he has played 79 offensive snaps this season and started against the New Orleans Saints, allowing one pressure and no sacks. Wirfs had missed that game with an oblique injury, and he missed the first three weeks of the regular season after undergoing offseason knee surgery.
The Buccaneers will also be without outside linebacker Anthony Nelson because of a knee injury he suffered at the Panthers and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who started his 21-day practice window this week after sustaining a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2.
Outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul will see an increased workload to account for Nelson’s absence.